Door-clamping mechanism



Aug. 2g, w28. msgid@ F. J. COUCH DOOR CLAMPING ME-CHANI SM Filed Nov. 27, 1925 s sheets-sheet 1 :4771K /NI/ENTOR A Bym F. J. COUCH DOOR CLAMPING MECHANISM `Filed Nov. 27, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet /N VEA/TOR BM 73 A TT() JNE Vf Aug. 2g, mg. www@ F. J. COUCH DOOR CLAMPING MECHANI S M Filed Nov. 27, 1925 I3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented ango 2d, lldo UNTTD STATES entrant* oversten,

@UST lo COUGE, OF GINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOR 'EO THE MCM LAUNDRY MGEINERY COMPANY, @E NOB/WOOD, OHIO, A CURUlEl/ATIQN 0l? GHlIO.

@GOB-GLMPING MECHANISEE.

.application filed November 27, 1925. Serial No. 731,778.

This invention relates to washing or like machines of the type comprising an outer tub and an inner cylinder, and has particular bearing upon the door arrangement, in the outer tub and the provision of a suitable construction in the washer drum itself to facilitate loading and dumping.

Commercial washing or like machines usually comprise an outer tub with a door i@ extending over its upper front quarter and a work receiving cylinder also provided with a door adapted for registration with the door of the tub, whereby the machine may be loaded and unloaded.

The present invention relates to a washing or like machine of this general type, but provided with another door preferably on the lower front quarter arranged to permit ready unloading of the machine and especially an adapted for self-dumping when the inner worlr holding cylinder is provided with a Y partition arrangement, which is one wherein the cylinder is divided into three pockets or compartments by three partitions extend- 25 ing radially through the cylinder axis, in which arrangement, of course, each pocket formed by these partitions is provided with a peripheral door. lt is also obvious that in a certain position one partition becomes inso clined downwardly at the front to an extent such that the wet clothes will slide o the partition and il the cylinder door is open and a lower dumping door is provided, automatic dumping may be readily accomplished.,

ln machines ot this type, where a tub door is placed below the center, as for dumping purposes, it is -essential that such door be properly sealed to prevent water leakage and this is accomplished in the present case by c@ an arrangement ot gasket means about the door opening and novel clamping means tor sealing the door tightly upon such gasket means to prevent leakage, not only along the lower front edge, but at the sides as well.

455 `While the invention has been shown applied to a machine for washing :tabrics or clothing and the description hereinafter has articular reference to such a machine, it will e understood that the invention is not theret@ by limited but is also capable ot use in many other machines where the work, whatever it may he, is loaded. into and removed from a cylinder whichis rotated within an outer casing while subjecting the work to some @5 For example, it may he used in drycleaning washers where the worlr is roL1 tated 1n a dry cleaning liquid, such as gasoline, 1n drying tumblers, where the Work is rotated in a current ot air; in dyeing machines where the work is rotated in a bath of @o dye liquor, as well as other like machines ot this general type.

@ther features ot the invention will he readily understood from the accompanying description and drawings, in. which:

` Fig, l is an end elevation oi the machine with parts broken away to show details ot the structure; Fig. 2 is a front elevation ot a portion of the machine with parts broken away; F ig. 3 is a detailed section upon subt@ stantially the line 3 3 of Figi 2; Fig. l is a detail of the door sealing mechanism; Fig. 5 is a typical cross section on substantially the line 5 5, Fig. 2, showing the gasket arrangement along the inside edges of adjacent doors; lllig. 6 is a similar view on substantially the line 6 6 ot llig, 2, showing the arrangement of the edges of the end doors; Fig. 7 is a part section on line 7 7 ot Fig, 2, showing the manner ot mounting the outer door; llig.. 8 is a view in elevation partly broken away to show the locking means for the inner cylinder doors; and ltig. 9 is a detail sectionalv view on the line 9 9, F ig. 8. n

ln the drawings, l represents the trame end ot' a machine ot a well lrnown construction adapted to support, in any suitable manner not especially shown, the tub sheet 2, which continues around `tor slightly more than h lt ol the circumference oit the tub t@ and terminates at the top and bottom just forward ot a vertical plane extending through the axis of the cylinder. lf the machine is a multiple pocket machine, it will obviously have a door for each com artment C3 and in whatever arrangement used, t ere w`ll be guideways for the upper loading door and :tor the lower unloading door. Customarily, washing machines are ot considerable dimension longitudinally 'and a plurality of both l' the loading and unloading doors are provided instead of the single one described. ln llig. 2 are shown loading and unloading doors 5 and 'la in addition to and corresponding with the doors 5 and 7, and hereinafter such a pluu El rality oli doors will be understood although not specifically referred to.

'lhe upper or loading door 5 slides in suitf able guides formed by peripheral strips tl and overhangmg strips el., These strips torna a recess along the edges of the door in which it may slide freely. Since the loading door 5 is above the Water line, it is not important that it be packed in any way.

In the case of the lower orunloading door 7, however, the edges of the tub sheet about the door opening, whether the machine be of single or multiple pocket type, are provided with a gasket 6 preferably of rubber in T-shape form arranged to engage the inner side of the unloading door 7 and prevent leakage. The unloading door is held in place against endwise movement, by peripherally extending flanges 8 and against the gasket by straps 9 adjustably secured at their upper ends to brackets 10 at the top of the machine and extending down around the front of the machine over the strips 4 and along the side edges of the unloading door 7, and at their lower ends are secured to any suitable tightening means. f

In the illustrated form of my invention, the tightening means comprise a rock shaft 11 mounted in suitable brackets 11a, and provided at each strap with a. crank arm 12 pivotally connected by pin 13 to the eye 14 of the strap. By this arran ement, when the shaft 11 is moved in a c ockwise direction (Fig. 3) the straps are tightened about the unloading door side and clamp the door edges tightly against the gasket 6. It will be noted that the crank arms 12 extend inward toward the tub so that the straps are drawn as snugly as possible about the unloading door. v

The gasket 6 is continued at 15 across the lower edge of the tub opening and while the straps 9 at the side edges of the unloading door tend to cause the door to seal against this gasket portion 15, additional means is provided for ensuring a proper sealing at this point. This is accomplished by means of a. rocking counter-shaft 16 mounted in bearings 17 secured to the brackets 11EL and provided between the straps 9 with eccentrics 16 adapted to be rotated into engagement with the door to force its lower edge against the gasket portion 15.

The rock shaft 16 projects beyond the end of the machine and is there provided with a worm wheel 18 meshing with a worm 19 carried by a shaft 20 mounted in a suitable bracket 21. Shaft 20 is provided with a hand wheel 22. for rotating it. The rock shaft 16 is further provided with a crank arm 23 connected by a curved link 24 with the upper end of a lever 25 secured upon the shaft 11.

The link 24, the arm 23 and the eccentrics 16 are so arranged that the throw of the arm 23 is suicient to move the lever 25 and tighten the bands to substantially their maximum tension before the eccentrics 16EL reach their position of maximum pressure so that the iinal movement of the arm 23 is into aligned position with respect to the pivotal connection of the link 24 with the arm 25. This toggle arrangement and effect permits considerable movement of the arm 23 for bringing the eccentrics to final pressure position without further-'material movement of the lever or arm 25. It is employed because it permits tightening of the straps 9 to their maximum clamping position and also permits required movement of the eccentrics to accomplish their clamping function.

' The weight of the unloading door may be counter balanced by use of chains 26 and counter weights 27 extended over suitable pulleys or rollers 28 on the frame of the machine.

Rotatably mounted in the tub is a cylindrical container comprising perforated end heads 30 and a perforated cylindrical wall a sliding door 33 held in place by lock bolts 332L slidably mounted in a lock casing 34. The bolt is normally pressed outward by a spring 35 and is retracted by gear teeth 36 on a handle lever 37, meshing with rack teeth 38 on the bolt. There are usually two of these lock bolts near the lower front edge of each door 33, arranged to enter suitable keeper openings '39 formed in the cylindrical wall corresponding with open and closed positions of the doors 33.

The cylindrical container may have transverse partitions in it and it may also be provided with longitudinal partitions 40 separating it into three lengthwise compartments, in which instance the partitions are of Y formation. vIn any event there is a door for each of the partition formed compartments. When the radial partitions 40 are used, it is obvious that the front lower edge of each door 33 should close adjacent to a partition so that the contents of the compartment may slide out unobstructed when the door'` is opened.

In operation, assuming the tub doors open, the operator through any mechanism, not shown, causes the inner container to rotate until the door 33 of one of the compartments is in a position to be opened. Upon opening the compartment door, he may now charge or load the materials to be treated into the compartment, reclose said compartment door and then proceed in a similar manner to load the remaining compartments in succession.

After all compartments are loaded and the compartment doors have been closed, the opthe treating operation, such as washing, diy cleanlng, drying or tumbling, dyeing or thel like. y

Upon completion of the treating process,

the machine is stopped, the tub loading door is opened, the tub unloading door is released and opened, and` the nearest cylinder door is opened. The cylinder is then rotated in a counter clockwise direction (Fig. 3) until the contents of the corresponding compartment are caused to slide out of the machine. The remaining compartments are emptied in a similar manner.

What l claim-is:

1. In a washing or like machine, a stationary cylindrical tub provided with an opening,

a sliding door for said opening, and HeXible clamping means engaging the side portions of said door, throughout the entire extent of the door sides for sealing the door against the tub atthe sides of said opening.

2. ln a washing or like machine, a stationary cylindrical tub provided with an opening, a sliding door for said opening, and :fieXible clamping. straps for sealing the sides of said door against the tub at the sides of said opening..

3. ln a washing or like machine, a cylindrical tubeprovided with an opening, a sliding door for said opening, flexible straps for sealing the sides of said door against the tub at the sides of said opening, and rotatable means for sealing the bottom of said door against said tub at the bottom of said openln a washing or like machine, a cylindrical tub provided with an opening, a sliding door for said opening, and eccentric means engaging said door for sealing the bottom of said door against the tub at the bottom of said opening.

5. ln a washing or like machine, a cylindrical tub-provided with an opening, a sliding door for said opening, flexible straps for sealing the sides of said door agaipst the tub at the sides of said opening, and eccentric means for sealing the bottom of said door against said tub at the bottom of said opening, said means being distributed along the lower edge of the door.

6. lin a washing or like machine, a cylindrical tub provided with an opening, a sliding ydoor for said opening, flexible means for seal- @o ein ing the sides of said door against the tub at the sides of said opening, and rotatable means distributed along the lower edge of the door cooperating therewith for sealing the bottom of said door against the tub at the bottom of said opening. Y

7. ln a Washing or like machine, a cylindrical tub provided with anl opening, a sliding door for said opening, tension operated means for sealing the sides of said door against the tub at the sides of said opening, rotation operated means for sealing the bottom of said door against said tub at the bottom of said opening, and operating means for said sealing means, whereby said tension is substantially accomplished before said rotation.

8. ln a washing or like machine, a cylindrical tub provided with an opening, a sliding door for said opening, tension operated means for sealing the sides of said door against the tub at the sides of said opening, rotation operated means for sealing the bottom of said door against said tub at the bottom of said opening, and operating means common to both of said sealing means, whereby substantially said tension is accomplished before said rotation.

9. ln a washing or Alike machine, a cylindrical tub provided with an opening, a sliding door for said opening, shaft operated means for sealing the bottom of said door against the tub at the bottom of said opening, countershaft operated means for sealing the sides of said door against said4 tub at the sides of said opening, said shafts being interconnected.

l0. ln a washing or like machine, a c vlm drical tub provided with an opening, a sliding door for said opening, shaft operated means for sealng tlfe bottom of said door against the tub at the bottomv of said opening, countershaft operated means for sealing the sides of said door against said tub at the sides of said opening and connecting means between said shafts such that sealing motion of said shaft is substantially preceded by sealing motion of said countershaft.

ln testimony whereof li hereby ax my signature.

FORREST J. @OUCH lCEIrrIFICATE or CORRECTION.

.Parent No, 1,682,116. Granted August 2s, 192s, 10 FoRREsi J. concu.y

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered vpatent requiring correction as `follows: Page 3, line 25, claim 3,

for the word "tube" read "tub"; same page, line 37, claim 4, after the word "opening" and before the'period insert a comma and the words "said means being distributed along the lower edge of the door"; samepage, line 42, claim 5, after the word "means" insert the words "distributed along the lower edge of the door"; -lines 44 to 46, same'claim, strike out the comma and words said means being distributed along the lower edge of the door"; line 52, claim 6, strike out; the words "distributed along theflower edge of the, door"; and the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record-of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealedl this 23rd day of October, A. D. 1928.

d v A,Ma Je (Seal) Y. Acting ('lommissionerv of Patents; 

